Musings on the science and art of gardening

Menu

Archive | August 2014

One of the toughest and most adaptable of all hydrangeas that tolerates full sun, Peegee Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’) is also one of the most coarse-textured shrubs that’s difficult to incorporate into the landscape. ‘Grandiflora’ is a deciduous large shrub or small tree that grows 15 to 25 ft. high and 10 to 20 ft. wide with a fountain-like habit. Panicles of creamy-white flowers produced on current season’s growth open in June, July, and August; they age to a bronze-pink and eventually tan-brown. Since flowers occur on current season’s growth, prune as needed in late winter to early spring.

Recently plant breeders embraced this species and created more than 80 cultivars that embody the ruggedness and durability of panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata). These cultivars look nothing like your grandmother’s Pee Gee hydrangea. The come in various shapes, sizes and colors. Several outstanding cultivars that you should include in your landscape include ‘Brussels Lace’, ‘DVPpinky’ Pinky Winky®,‘Floribunda’, ‘Interhydia’ Pink Diamond(tm), ‘Kyushu’, ‘Lammetje’ Little Lamb, ‘Pee Wee’, ‘Tardiva’, ‘Unique’, ‘White Lace’, and ‘Webb’.

When it comes to growing fruit at home, nothing could be easier or prettier than the pawpaw (Asimina triloba). This deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree can reach a height of 15 to 20 feet. Its 6 to 12 inch long, tropical-looking leaves turn yellow in the fall. Purple, one- to two-inch wide flowers appear in the spring and are pollinated by flies and beetles, undoubtedly attracted to the irresistible carrion-like scent of the blooms. Cross-pollination must occur for fruit set to occur, because an individual pawpaw is incapable of fertilizing its own flowers. They give rise to large bean-shaped fruit, which grow to about three to six inches long and one to three inches wide. The fruit has a fragrant aroma, a custard-like texture, and a banana-like almost tropical taste. Over my lifetime I’ve eaten several pawpaws and encouraged many friends and acquaintances to try them as well. In short, you either like the flavor and texture or you don’t. Recently I discovered pawpaw’s laxative qualities, which led me to call it another common name: poopoo.

If you’re willing to experiment with pawpaw, choose named cultivars such as Shenandoah, Susquehanna, and Rappahannock. If price is more important than quality, purchase seedling trees.

Pawpaws are difficult to transplant, so select container-grown cultivars to improve your chances at successfully establishing them in your landscape. Choose a moist, well-drained location in full sun or partial shade. Water the newly planted trees regularly during their establishment period.

Once pawpaws settle in, their horizontal roots create sprouts that emerge some distance from the trunk. Mowing will suppress these emerging shoots from becoming an unmanageable thicket.